The AKR has requested seminar stories and reports to share with those who could not attend the 2010 IKYF tournament and seminar in Japan. Here is the report of Russ Levitt, Yondon, South Carolina Kyudo Renmei.
My Experience of the International Kyudo Seminar,
Tokyo, 2010
by Russ Levitt, Yondan, South Carolina Kyudo Renmei
Over the last 9 years I have attended all but one USA National seminar and all the International Kyudo seminar/events offered by the ZNKR, the All Nippon Kyudo Federation. Every seminar, tournament or demonstration has been uniquely educational, whether I was watching or participating. The seminars have been most valuable because we have the special opportunity as beginners or of low rank to work directly with Kyudo masters, who otherwise would only teach basic instructors or teachers in Japan. There can be no question that all the masters at every seminar have offered something special and exciting in their view, approach and method of training. The International Kyudo Seminar of 2010 was no exception.
The 2010 International Seminar was split into 2 segments, beginners through third-dan trained for 3 days followed by the First International Tournament. Then there were 3 more days of seminar for those ranking fourth-dan and above. This seemed to help reduce communication problems, clutter and enable the students to get more attention from the masters. I think this was a very good idea and worked well. Being a fourth-dan I was in the second seminar but I arrived 3 days early to watch the lower ranks train and to help rid myself of jet lag.
Our seminar opened with a kendo demonstration using both wooden and steel Japanese swords. An experienced teacher and one of his students demonstrated tremendous focus as they went through what appeared to be traditional practice methods. Their ability to control their eyes and operate their movements from the hip area with a straight spine seemed very similar to principles used in Kyudo. It was an energetic and emotional display. Very enjoyable!
Though it was often so cold you could easily see your breath in the open atmosphere of the dojo, both the teachers and students stayed focused and worked very hard. I am always amazed at the patience of the teachers who do their best to be clear but not unduly criticize the student. No question is too foolish and all are handled with patient concern.
However, a problem at every seminar is translation. One might get a marvelous comment or answer from a master only to have its depth lost to translation error. The translators frequently mumbled ineffectively and spoke towards the master instead of the student(s). It was exasperating to not only miss a potentially valuable point but to have almost no recourse to correct the problem. Fortunately, several folks in my group spoke Japanese fluently and we could work out translations among ourselves if we had to. Still, there were times when I walked away from a lecture suspecting I had missed much of its content.
It is an odd contradiction that the masters have asked us not to have experts dutifully and patiently translate the magazine articles the masters write, yet we each spend literally thousands of dollars to attend a 3 day seminar where the spontaneous translation is often horrible. Certainly, spontaneous translation can be very difficult, but considering the cost and effort of all involved one would think this aspect would be an obvious priority. This was a consistent problem at this seminar. I hope the IYKF (International Kyudo Federation) works to solve this problem for future seminars.
The translation problem does press the student to learn by watching. At this seminar we were treated to demonstrations which gave us the opportunity to compare different groups of archers. These demonstrations were all about observation. Traditionally, at the start of everyday of a seminar a ceremony is performed by one or more of the masters presiding. At this seminar we watched two ceremonies each morning; one performed by a master or group of masters, followed by the same ceremony performed by the highest ranking non-Japanese teachers attending from such places as Europe, the USA and even Iceland.
There was a distinct difference between these groups even though they performed the same ceremony. It demonstrated to me the use of breath, clarity of timing, the awareness of the other archers performing, the respect and concern for those watching, and the overall attitude and spirit of the individuals performing. Needless to say, the masters represented these facets with much more power and certainty. The greater depth of their concentration and focus was obvious. The clear difference between the two groups impressed upon me that some aspects of my own Kyudo knowledge have been somewhat intellectual. Gaining control over one’s body, hands and especially one’s mind goes beyond words. These were humbling demonstrations in some ways and I will do my best to make use of them.
On the other hand, there were a few occasions where the masters made mistakes that proved their humanity. Several embarrassing moments reminded me of the words of the official Kyudo manual where is says that we never reach perfection. But if not perfect in performance, these men might border on perfection in their graceful acceptance of their humanity. Their mistakes did not reduce their good humor, their even continence, nor the power and spirit of their next opportunity whether it was their next arrow or their lecture that same morning.
My favorite lecture was from Master Suda who talked about the concept of, “Kyo, Kei and Ai,” or modesty, respect and compassion. I couldn’t find a reference to this in the English version of the ZNKR Kyudo Manual but I have been told it exists in the Japanese version. This is a broad concept that relates to the kyudo practitioner, their equipment and the dojo. I look forward to studying more about this concept.
It was an honor to be allowed to practice at the outstanding Chuo Dojo on the beautiful grounds of the Meiji Jingu Shrine. As ever, it was a pleasure to see old friends, make new friends and share in each other’s successes and failures. As well, just being in Tokyo was fabulous with all there was to see and do. It was truly a joy to be laughing and chatting over the fine food and drink Tokyo has to offer.
This seminar reminded me of just how rich all of my Kyudo experiences have been. For me, I suppose, this seminar was like holding the arrow at full draw, as is caused many elements of Kyudo to merge, to come together, in a meaningful way which I had not previously understood. This has renewed my desire to practice diligently at Kyudo. Something at every seminar always does. I look forward to the next seminar wherever and whenever it is, but especially if it is in Japan, as there is something special about practicing at the home of Kyudo.